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Ponte Academic Journal
Apr 2016, Volume 72, Issue 4

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN HIV/AIDS AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE AMONG URBAN SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA

Author(s): Tuntufye Selemani Mwamwenda

J. Ponte - Apr 2016 - Volume 72 - Issue 4
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2016.4.6



Abstract:
The objective of this investigation was to assess HIV/AIDS gender differences in HIV/AIDS knowledge and awareness among Urban Secondary School Students at Inanda, Durban, South Africa. It is generally perceived that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in South Africa is unrivalled worldwide. In fact, South Africa has the largest and most high profile HIV epidemic in the world. The sample of the study comprised 105 (57 girls and 48 boys) grades 11 and 12 students studying at a comprehensive secondary school in Durban, South Africa. Their age ranged from 15 to 18 years, with a mean of 16.5 years. The respondents were administered an HIV/AIDS questionnaire of 15 statements/questions to which they were asked to tick the most correct response on the basis of the three options provided, which were �Yes�, �No� �Do not know�. Descriptive statistics in the form of frequency, percentage, chi-square and probability were used for data analysis. The overall results showed that girls were more HIV/AIDS knowledgeable, given that they had the highest score on the questionnaire. Otherwise the breakdown of the questionnaire showed three types of results: in some questions, both genders performed equally well or worse; secondly, girls performed better, whereas in other questions, boys outperformed girls. In view of the fact that, HIV/AIDS has no known cure, there is need for comprehensive sexuality education programmes, which will equip urban girls and boys to protect themselves against the scourge of HIV/AIDS. In short, what is being advocated is educating, motivating, persuading and enabling should be the chief cornerstone of HIV/AIDS public education campaigns.
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